A Memorial Day parade, sponsored by the Pfc. Robert Montgomery VFW Post 4480, was held in Parkesburg on May 23. The event traditionally takes place the weekend before Memorial Day to allow those with travel plans to participate.

The parade formed at A. Duie Pyle on Limestone Road, continued west on First Avenue and ended at the Keystone Valley Fire Department (KVFD), where a brief formal ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial Garden. The garden, which was dedicated by KVFD in May 2019 as part of the Memorial Day observance in Parkesburg, honors servicemen and servicewomen lost in all military conflicts.

After the ceremony, there was a picnic at the Parkesburg VFW Post.

Among the participants in the parade were the Chester County Emerald Society Pipe Band, members of the Octorara Junior-Senior High marching band, classic and antique cars, emergency vehicles from the KVFD, performers from Russell's Dance and Baton Studio, the Ladies Auxiliary from the VFW and Parkesburg Boy Scout Troop 135. Local veterans also rode in vehicles along the parade route and local historian Gerry Tredway portrayed Uncle Sam.

Another parade participant was the newly formed Octorara Community Band, which is composed of both graduates of and current students from Octorara Area High School and other local high schools. The band performed "America the Beautiful" while marching along the parade route.

Band member Cathy Wilde Christ announced that the band will perform a concert at the Parkesburg VFW, 406 Fourth Ave., Parkesburg, on Sunday, July 25, at 7 p.m. "We will perform all patriotic music in honor of the veterans," she stated.

For more information about the band and the upcoming concert, search for "Octorara Community Band" on Facebook. Musicians who would like to join the band may contact Christ on the Facebook page or at c2n2j2@gmail.com.